the master bathroom and turned on the shower. Scalding water beat down

ses blooming across her collarbone. Remembering the disgust in Jamison'

silk nightgown, ignoring her swollen ankle,

lope stamped with the embossed seal of the Supreme Judicial Court. Her

ter bedroom rattled, followed by the he

k drawer, shut it, and turned around as Jam

trailed behind him. Seeing her pale face,

s over. Ayl

with her arms crossed, looking

me to vacate the master sui

ngue. Setting his whiskey glass on the vanity table,

open. Inside lay a vintage emerald loc

h-annivers

forgive his neglect with tears of gratitud

efore his fingers brushed her skin, Everlee jerked her c

e in midair. His fac

y pride to coax you. How much long

t the green stone

week, isn't it? You bought it for Ayla, and only ke

is gold-rimmed glasses up his nose,

ust my sister! Are you seriously ke

rlee dug her nails back into the crescent marks on her

d get out, Jamison.

s, Jamison slammed the velvet box ont

e lost y

sened tie, towering

bankrupt ten years ago can survive a single day i

is glare with

s fin

at, enunciating eve

I want a

oom, broken only by the low hum

gh. To her eyes, his sneer carried the unmistakable smugness of a man assumin

hday party, you're thre

the vanity table, his eye

Sweetheart. Walk out that door, and you won't even b

She just looked at him as if he w

Jamison spun on his heel

, stay in this room for the next fe

ing the frames on the wall. On the vanity, the vintage emerald loc

chain, her eyes glinting like cold steel. This se